Apple Trees: Where and How to Plant

By Darcy Logan

Does your apple tree bloom every spring, but then fail to produce apples? Or maybe it produces a few apples, but not as many as you had hoped. If this has happened to you, or if you are considering planting an apple tree in the near future, then this article is for you. Growing your own apples can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be frustrating if things don't go well. Several factors come into play if you expect your tree to bear fruit.

Pollination

One cannot plant an apple tree and expect apples—two apple trees are required. Why two? An apple tree is not capable of pollinating itself and requires another variety of apple tree or a crabapple tree to produce the best fruit. Some trees such as the Lodi, Liberty, Jonathan, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith may be sold as "self-pollinating" or "self-fruitful." While they are able to pollinate themselves, they will produce more apples if they are cross-pollinated.

Interestingly, the source of pollen does not change what type of apple grows on the tree. Pollinating a Red Delicious with a Granny Smith or vice versa will not produce Granny Delicious or Red Smith apples. You still get Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples.

For the best fruit, you should have two apple trees that bloom at the same time (early, mid-season, or late). This will ensure that the king blossoms are pollinated. King blossoms are the first and largest blossoms to open. Winesap, Mutsu, Jonagold, Stayman, Northern Spy, and Red Gravenstein should never be used as pollinizers because they produce sterile pollen. If you have your heart set on one of these varieties, plan to plant at least three varieties of apple trees.

Some species of apple trees are not compatible with each other. Idared, Macoun, and Rome are three examples that are fussy about which trees they will pollinate with. Check a pollinization compatibility chart before purchasing your apple trees. Finally, do not spray insecticide while your flowers are in bloom. Pollination is done mainly by bees. If you kill your pollinators, there will be no apples.

Size Matters

Although apples can be grown from seeds, this generally does not produce good quality fruit. Instead two different tree parts, the scion (or cultivar) and the rootstock, are joined together by grafting or budding. The type of rootstalk that is used will determine what size the tree will become. For that reason, all apple tree rootstocks are given 'M' names that indicate if the trees are dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard size.

For apple trees, size matters—although not in the way you think. You need to know what size your apple tree is going to be in order to understand how closely they need to be planted and how soon you can expect apples. Smaller, or dwarf, trees produce apples much sooner than larger, or standard, trees. The size of the tree only affects how tall the tree will grow and how many apples it will produce. It does not affect the size of the apples. All apple trees will produce roughly the same sized apples.

Rootstalks that are labeled M.27, M.26, Mark, or M.9 indicate dwarf rootstocks. Dwarf apple trees will grow about six to twelve feet tall. They are not as hardy as the semi-dwarf or standard size trees and should not be grown in USDA zones 3 or 4. They will require staking because they have shallow roots that are not very strong. Dwarf trees should be planted at least at least eight to twelve feet apart. However, do not plant them more than twenty feet away from another variety in order to ensure pollination. A good dwarf tree should live about fifteen to twenty years and will produce about one to two bushels of apples within two to three years.

Rootstalks that are labeled M.7, MM.106, MM.111, and M.4 indicate semi-dwarf rootstocks. They are sometimes called semi-vigorous. Semi-dwarf apple trees will grow about fifteen to twenty feet tall. They are hardier than dwarf trees, but still not as hardy as standard trees and should not be grown in USDA zone 3. Semi-dwarf trees should be planted at least ten to twenty feet apart. However, do not plant them more than fifty feet away from another variety in order to ensure pollination. A good semi-dwarf tree should live about twenty to twenty-five years and produce about five bushels of apples within three to four years.

Rootstalks that are labeled MM.4, M.2, M.25, and M.1 indicate standard, or vigorous, rootstocks. Standard apple trees will grow about twenty-five feet tall. They are hardiest and will adapt to a varieties of soils and climates. Standard trees should be planted at least twenty-five to thirty feet apart. However, do not plant them more than from another variety in order to ensure pollination. A standard tree should live fifty years or longer and produce about eight bushels of apples within five to six years.

Location

Apple trees require full sun and like a soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, but will tolerate soils with a pH between 5.5 and 8.5. They like a rich, loamy soil but will grow in sandy or clay soil. Whatever soil type, it must have good drainage. Apple trees cannot survive standing in water. Avoid planting your tree in low-lying areas. Not only are these areas more likely to flood, but it could be an area where cold air settles, also known as a frost pocket. Frost pockets can kill the blossoms and any developing fruit on the tree.

For best results, purchase your apple tree when it is about a year old and stands about four to six feet tall. If the tree's roots look dried out, soak it in water for about twenty-four hours before planting. Plant your tree in a hole that is twice the width than the roots system. You will need to dig the hole at least two feet deeper than the roots and then add some of the loosened soil back into the hole before planting. This will make it easier for the root system to spread out. As you plant, spread the tree roots out, checking as you go to ensure that they are not twisted or crowded. Firm or pack the soil around the roots to remove any air pockets.

When planted, the bud union should be about one to two inches above the ground. The bud union is the spot where the root system meets the trunk. Do not fertilize your tree when planting because this will burn the roots. Pack the soil down and then water the tree well. This will eliminate any remaining air pockets and ensure the roots have good contact with the soil.

Remove any grass and add a thick layer of mulch over the soil in a three-foot wide circle around the tree. Grass can compete with a young tree for water and nutrients. Mulching will not only help keep the soil moist, but it will act as a deterrent to weeds.

Now that your tree is planted, it is time to start collecting apple recipes. Deciding between apple crisp or apple pie can be almost as tough as deciding which apple trees to plant. Luckily, you will have a little time to make up your mind.

© Doityourself.com 2006